The OnePlus Buds Pro 2: A Bass-Heavy Beast with a Price Tag That Won’t Break the Bank
The first-generation OnePlus Buds Pro were a hit, balancing premium features with a competitive price tag. Now, OnePlus is back with the OnePlus Buds Pro 2, boasting a few key improvements and a renewed partnership with Danish loudspeaker maker Dynaudio. Priced at Rs. 11,999, the Pro 2 continues to be a value-for-money option, promising powerful audio with technical enhancements like a dual-driver system and Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity. But is this the best mid-range true wireless headset on the market? Let’s dive in and find out.
OnePlus Buds Pro 2 Design and Features
The OnePlus Buds Pro 2 takes a familiar approach to design, closely resembling its predecessor. The earpieces and charging case maintain a similar aesthetic with a matte black finish and glossy stems, though a new green color is available to match the OnePlus 11.
The earpieces sport larger outer microphone grilles, but the overall fit and size remain consistent with the original Buds Pro. They continue to be comfortable and stylish, offering a sophisticated and unostentatious look. The earpieces are free of branding, while the charging case features both the OnePlus logo and a Dynaudio logo etched on the lid.
Featuring pressure-sensitive controls on the stems for precise operation, the OnePlus Buds Pro 2 offers a comfortable in-canal fit, providing ample passive noise isolation. They boast an IP55 dust and water resistance rating for the earpieces, with the charging case holding an IPX4 water resistance rating.
Beyond the sleek design, the OnePlus Buds Pro 2 packs a punch in terms of features. It offers multi-point connectivity for simultaneous connection to two devices, customizable active noise cancellation, Google Fast Pair, a 54ms low-latency mode, Spatial Audio (compatible with OnePlus 11 at present), and Qi wireless charging. Each earpiece incorporates three microphones for enhanced ANC and voice quality powered by AI algorithms.
OnePlus Buds Pro 2 App and Specifications
Like other OnePlus wireless headsets, the Buds Pro 2’s app experience varies depending on your smartphone. If you’re using a supported OnePlus device, controls are integrated into the system Bluetooth settings panel. For other Android devices, you’ll need to use the HeyMelody app, available on both iOS and Android.
It’s important to note that during my review, I encountered an issue where the settings weren’t accessible on my OnePlus 9 Pro, potentially due to a software incompatibility. However, I expect this issue to be resolved before the headset’s release, so it shouldn’t pose a long-term problem.
The app (or Bluetooth settings) allow you to customize various aspects of the OnePlus Buds Pro 2, including:
- Playback controls
- ANC and transparency modes
- ANC intensity (Mild, Moderate, or Max)
- Equalizer presets (co-created with Dynaudio)
- Custom EQ
- Multi-point connectivity
- Firmware updates
Some notable additions include:
- White noise mode with five audio tracks
- Game mode for low-latency audio (as low as 54ms)
- Golden Sound feature for tailoring sound to your ear canal and hearing characteristics
The OnePlus Buds Pro 2 also offers detailed control customization, allowing you to configure separate control schemes for each earpiece. You can control playback, switch between ANC and transparency modes, activate the default voice assistant, and enable game mode. However, volume control is unfortunately not available on the headset itself.
On the technical front, the OnePlus Buds Pro 2 is well-equipped:
- Dual-driver setup: 11mm and 6mm drivers in each earpiece
- Frequency response range: 10-40,000Hz
- Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity
- Support for SBC, AAC, and LHDC 4 Bluetooth codecs
Although LDAC support is currently absent, there’s a chance it might be added through a future firmware update, similar to the Oppo Enco X2. Currently, advanced codec support is limited to LHDC, creating a similar situation to Samsung’s true wireless earphones where the best sound quality is only accessible within the ecosystem.
OnePlus Buds Pro 2 Performance and Battery Life
The OnePlus Buds Pro 2 might appear similar to its predecessor, but under the hood, it’s a completely different beast. While sharing similarities with the Oppo Enco X2, including the Dynaudio collaboration and Bluetooth codec support, the Pro 2 boasts its own unique characteristics. This makes for a distinct audio experience.
The LHDC Bluetooth codec, offering high-quality audio, is supported by most OnePlus and Oppo smartphones. In my opinion, it delivers performance comparable to other modern advanced codecs.
The OnePlus Buds Pro 2’s dual-driver setup is the defining feature of its sonic signature and sound quality. Unlike the Oppo Enco X2, the Pro 2 prioritizes lower frequencies, delivering a punchy, aggressive, and energetic sound. This is further enhanced by the LHDC codec, creating one of the most entertaining and powerful sound experiences I’ve encountered in true wireless earphones.
Listening to tracks like Over Here by Mk.gee, the bass is tight and refined, offering a powerful punch without being excessive. It elevates the song’s energy and engagement, adding an extra layer of depth.
Even on tracks with a more nuanced sound like Everywhere by Fleetwood Mac, the Pro 2 delivers detailed sound while giving the low frequencies a noticeable boost. The driver separation ensures that the midrange and highs have ample space to breathe, even with the powerful bass.
With the volume turned up, the immersive listening experience is unparalleled in this price segment.
The OnePlus Buds Pro 2’s active noise cancellation is decent for the price, but it’s slightly underwhelming, failing to match the exceptional performance of the sound quality. Nonetheless, it’s effective both indoors and outdoors, offering a noticeable reduction in noise.
While the app offers three different ANC modes, I found it difficult to discern a significant difference between them. Transparency mode works reasonably well but can become fatiguing due to the artificial amplification of ambient sounds.
Battery life on the OnePlus Buds Pro 2 is an improvement over its predecessor, with the earpieces lasting roughly six hours per charge with LHDC codec enabled and ANC activated. The charging case provides a little over three additional charges, offering a total runtime of around 25 hours per charge cycle. Call quality is generally good indoors and workable for short calls even in noisy outdoor environments.
Verdict
OnePlus and Oppo have leveraged their shared resources to elevate their true wireless audio offerings. The OnePlus Buds Pro 2 is a prime example of creating a top-tier product with unique characteristics without completely reinventing the wheel.
While it shares similarities with the Oppo Enco X2, OnePlus has successfully distinguished the Buds Pro 2 with its own personality, especially in its bass-heavy audio signature and level of detail. The Dynaudio collaboration is more than just a branding gimmick, and features like wireless charging and low-latency mode add further value.
The only real drawback is codec support. LHDC isn’t as widely supported as other codecs, creating a ‘walled garden’ situation, where owning the appropriate source device is crucial for achieving the best sound quality.
If you have a compatible source device, the OnePlus Buds Pro 2 offers the most enjoyable true wireless earphones you can buy under Rs. 15,000. Its sonic quality surpasses headsets costing twice as much. In essence, you can’t go wrong with the OnePlus Buds Pro 2.
